Which M6?

[jay83091]

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Hi All,

I'm getting into the world of film photography, and my friends recommended looking into the M6 range. Despite spending hours researching, I have to admit I'm quite overwhelmed by the sheer number of M6 variations and options.

Could you please point me in the right direction?

1. Which M6 models do you recommend, or are there any I should avoid?
2. Is it worth buying the new reissued M6?
3. Is it OK to buy a used Leica in Japan?

4. Which lens do you recommend? I intend to use the M6 for street photography—I'm considering pairing it with the 35mm F2 ASPH V2.

Thank you!

Regards,

jay

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[jaapv]

I would advise buying a late classic M6 with functioning light meter or a new one. I never liked the larger TTL for its bulk and lesser viewfinder. The special issues are many and often unnecessarily expensive. AFAIK the Japanese used market is quite good.

[TomB_tx]

I agree with all jaapv said. I bought my M6 in 1985 and it is still one of my favorite cameras. When it needed service I had it upgraded with the Viewfinder/rangefinder improvements that phased in during production (multicoated windows and "flare fix" for the RF patch) - but used it for decades without the upgrades with no complaints.

I'd suggest considering the new production M6, as it includes these improvements. It also has a new design light meter circuit board. (Last I knew Leica had no replacements for meter circuits of the original M6 production - and it isn't clear if the new design will work in the older cameras.)

The standard VF in M6 is the .72 magnification, which is most universal for 28 to 135 mm lenses. There were some made with other magnifications, if you have special needs.

Since you seem new to film photography you might prefer the M7 model, which adds automatic exposure (set the lens aperture and it picks the shutter speed) - as I find people moving from modern digital cameras struggle with setting exposure along with manual focus, etc, Not worrying about exposure is helpful for the transition. Once you are comfortable with it, you can use the M7 in manual meter mode where it works just like the M6. I added an M7 to my collection this year and I love it.

Edited November 10, 2024 by TomB_tx

[S/W]

After hearing that there are no more spare parts for the light meter for the old M6 and M6TTL, I exchanged my M6 TTL a month ago for a new M6 (Reissue 2022), of course with a surcharge (fortunately I didn't have a loss on the deal, as I got the new price at the time + a small surcharge). Of course you can buy a used M6 for less money and if the light meter works well, you can enjoy it for a long time. Unfortunately, however, no one is in this part and in the worst case, this part breaks after the used warranty expires (if there is one at all) and then you have a rather expensive Leica M4-P. With a new camera, you have a three-year warranty after registration (in Germany) and even if the problem should occur (which is unlikely), it would at least be repairable. Furthermore, the viewfinder of the new M6 is much clearer and in addition to the two triangular LEDs in the viewfinder, there is also a dot for the correct exposure (this was the reason for me to buy an M6 TTL at the time). My vote is therefore, if money is not the problem, to go for the new model. 

Just my 2 Cent!

[JMF]

7 hours ago, S/W said:

After hearing that there are no more spare parts for the light meter for the old M6 and M6TTL, I exchanged my M6 TTL a month ago for a new M6 (Reissue 2022), of course with a surcharge (fortunately I didn't have a loss on the deal, as I got the new price at the time + a small surcharge). Of course you can buy a used M6 for less money and if the light meter works well, you can enjoy it for a long time. Unfortunately, however, no one is in this part and in the worst case, this part breaks after the used warranty expires (if there is one at all) and then you have a rather expensive Leica M4-P. With a new camera, you have a three-year warranty after registration (in Germany) and even if the problem should occur (which is unlikely), it would at least be repairable. Furthermore, the viewfinder of the new M6 is much clearer and in addition to the two triangular LEDs in the viewfinder, there is also a dot for the correct exposure (this was the reason for me to buy an M6 TTL at the time). My vote is therefore, if money is not the problem, to go for the new model. 

Just my 2 Cent!

A new solution for the lightmeter circuit board is available :

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFeStwISOG/?igsh=MXA1bWV1b2JvdWRicQ==

[benqui]

vor 47 Minuten schrieb JMF:

A new solution for the lightmeter circuit board is available :

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCFeStwISOG/?igsh=MXA1bWV1b2JvdWRicQ==

Thanks a lot for this address! My M6 TTL is working without and problems, but it is very good to have this address, just in case….

[hansvons]

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10 hours ago, jay83091 said:

4. Which lens do you recommend? I intend to use the M6 for street photography—I'm considering pairing it with the 35mm F2 ASPH V2.

That is what I suggest. It's glued to my M6 classic. I shot over two hundred rolls over the last 2 years with this lens and won't part with it—brilliant for B/W and colour. It is sharp at f/2 but offers personality traits like beautiful flares and interesting curvature at a full aperture that can be leveraged in medium distances. At f/4, it's already at full performance. It's basically a sharper version of the KOB Summicron V4 but vignettes less on film, which is an advantage when things get a bit thin because corners and edges get more light, and shadows will be exposed in these areas better. And if you have the budget, buy the 2022 M6. It will last for the rest of your life. Case closed.

[earleygallery]

There are only 3 variants of the M6 (others are special editions of the same camera).

Original M6 or now referred to as 'classic'

M6 TTL (the TTL refers to flash metering as all M6's have TTL metering for ambient light)

New/current M6, like the original M6 but with some updates in the viewfinder and metering circuit. The current MP is pretty much the same camera, differences are mostly cosmetic.

If you can afford it I guess the best option is a new M6 or MP. As noted Leica no longer repair the metering in the orignal M6 or TTL (although the majority are still working fine and even without a working meter the cameras are otherwise fully mechanical).

The 35mm lens is a great option but it's a really personal choice.

[ktmrider2]

If you can afford it, a new M6 or MP.  Both cameras are very similar except for a few cosmetic differences.  I bought a new MP in Hong Kong last February from Rangefinder.Com  and saved over $1000 from the US price.  He ships regularly to USA via FedEx.  

I am looking at a Q3 on his site.  A quick check shows new M6’s for $4800 and three days shipping to US.  

My first love are the classic Leica’s with my favorite body being an M2 followed closely by M4.  I would not buy M4/2 or M4/P or classic M6 as all have the viewfinder flare issue (Leica removed a small condenser lens to save money.  Original M2/M4 have the lens.  Leica restored lens in MP/MA/M7 and new M6).  If you do not need a meter you can save $$$ with a used classic.

Have fun with the hunt.  Welcome to the cult.

Edited November 11, 2024 by ktmrider2

[Borna]

I have an Leica M6 built in 1986 I believe. Works like a charm. Dont think too much, there is like 100-300 euro up down differences on a newer/older model anyways. Enjoy shooting film

[lexffm]

I have no problems with my M6 from 1984 (still with the Leitz label in the red dot, so one of the first models). It simply works without any problems. Old bodies that are in good condition should be easy to find in Japan if someone wants to sell them. The lens you mentioned is also certainly well suited for street photography. If you do have lenses from 75mm at some point, a viewfinder magnifier is a useful addition.

[250swb]

@jay83091 your safest bet as a new owner is to buy the most boring plain M6 that is within your price range. That would be the new re-issue M6 or a late 'Classic'. Don't get caught up in variants, special editions, or what other people swear by because they aren't you. Buy from a Leica authorised dealer and you should get a warranty and then your only real choice should be between a black or silver camera. 

[Anbaric]

11 hours ago, benqui said:

Thanks a lot for this address! My M6 TTL is working without and problems, but it is very good to have this address, just in case….

This meter is only for the M6 Classic, unfortunately.

Leica has suggested to a forum member that they were working on replacing the M6 TTL or M6 Classic meter with the one from the M6 Reissue (presumably losing flash metering with the TTL). But the date when this service was supposed to be available kept getting pushed back, and I haven't seen any recent updates.

If I had to replace my current M6 Classic, it would probably be with another M6 Classic. The new meter makes the Classic more repairable, and I've also noticed that one of the major UK technicians, Cameraworks-UK, no longer works on the TTL for whatever reason. I've also never been keen on the slightly larger size of the TTL, I don't really need the flash metering, and the TTL bodies are more expensive. But if you do want TTL flash metering, neither the Classic nor the Reissue have it. The TTL also features a larger shutter speed dial, and some people find its direction of rotation more intuitive (it's reversed relative to the other M6 models, but the same as the M7 and the digital Leicas, and arranged so that your forefinger rather than your thumb is moved in the direction of the metering arrows to correct the exposure). Watch out for zinc 'bubbling' on either the Classic or the TTL - some cameras have developed corrosion, which may be due to a sporadic plating defect. There are plenty of cameras with unblemished top plates to choose from. The Reissue is nice - the brass top plate should never develop bubbling, and it has the fix for RF patch flare (personally I don't find this issue a major problem). But a new one is double the price of a nice M6 Classic.

Edited November 11, 2024 by Anbaric

[ktmrider2]

It was not addressed here but there are several 35mm lenses which are just as good as anything Leica makes for less $$$.  I keep a 35f2.8 C-Biogon almost permanently attached to my MP.  Used copies can be had for $600 while new ones are going for about $1000 (I think).  Also, Voightlander has some outstanding 35’s including an APO for $1000 compared to $11000 or so for the Leica model.

[costa43]

Lower cost - m6 classic with a 35mm f2.5 Voigtlander Color Skopar will give you all you need.

Higher budget  - 2022 m6 would be the way to go imo. I think a 35mm Summicron asph v1 or v2 is a great choice as an all round lens. 

Unlimited budget - special editions, both bodies and lenses with different finishes are available at much higher prices, these offer little more than aesthetic differences from the classic option usually but have their place in the Leica world where the look of the camera is a big draw to many.

I think a key reason to veer away from the standard option would be if you had a preference for a different viewfinder magnification. Very few m6 classics came with anything other than a 0.72 magnification viewfinder. You have some options with some of the TTL versions (an edition of the m6 that meters flash through the lens, it’s a little bigger and has a larger shutter dial that is easier to adjust when the camera is to your eye, it also rotates the opposite way to the classic, a quality some prefer. Some special editions come as TTL and some do not). Back to the magnification. A standard Leica m6 comes with a 0.72 viewfinder which is a fine balance for using a 28,35,50.75.90.135. TTL and some special editions have options for a 0.58 viewfinder which gives you a lower magnified view, making the framelines for 28 and 35 smaller within the viewfinder and easier to see, especially if you wear glasses. The negative is that for 50mm and onwards it makes focusing harder and imo less enjoyable to use, you also lose the 135 framelines, should they be important to you. On the other end of the scale is a 0.85 option which gives you a more magnified view, better for 50mm and beyond but 35mm framlines are hard to see and the 28mm ones are non existent. 

 

Edited November 14, 2024 by costa43

[rulnacco]

I really like my current M6, which I've owned for well over a decade: it's the 0.85 viewfinder version.

So it's basically an M6 Classic, but it has a larger magnification viewfinder--not at all far off that of the M3. It doesn't have 28mm framelines--35 is as wide as it goes--but I don't shoot anything wider than 35mm at present. (And I may have the framelines altered at some point to get rid of the annoying--and for me useless--75mm framelines). I have already "modified" mine a bit, as my favorite dealer a few years back got in a black chrome baseplate that would open and close the reloadable brass Leica  film cassettes, so I traded the camera's original baseplate and some cash for it, as I like rolling my own.

I started with a standard 0.72 finder M6, but when this one came available, I went for it. With the larger viewfinder and the retro-style baseplate, it works just about perfectly for me.

[Sebastian S]

I bought a used classic from a leica store in germany, looked good and was very clean, still the shutter started to make problems at 1/1000th so i decided to make a full cla and also upgrade to an MP viewer. Which set me back another 1.200€. (The new M6 also has the same MP viewfinder that I upgraded to.) I also bought an M4 as a second cam and must admit that I like the viewfinder the most from the 3 different ones. Can't tell why, gut feeling. Looks most "natural" to me. But it seems that older viewfinders can suffer from mirror degradiation, which also can become a matter of extra costs. 
With the bumpy road I went down with my classic M6 i would recommend to anyone to buy a new M6 unless you find a very cheap classic M6 in good condition, where a pro CLA wont hurt the all overall budget. It will save you a lot of trouble whit repair times, worries bout shipping etc etc. 

[AdrianL]

When it comes to choosing film Ms, I have always focused on the shutter speed dial design. While the M6 classic and MP pay homage to the original shutter speed dial design (when there was not a built-in exposure meter), it is a point of contention for me as the dial rotated in the opposite direction as compared to modern Ms, the M6 TTL and M7, where the dial rotates according to the arrows associated with the exposure reading. I would encourage you to objectively look into how you would actually use the camera when you are adjusting the exposure with the camera at your eye. In addition, the larger shutter speed dial makes it easier for you to make that adjustment. This is especially so if you intend to use both film and digital Ms, allowing the experience to be more seamless. 

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[TomB_tx]

31 minutes ago, AdrianL said:

I would encourage you to objectively look into how you would actually use the camera when you are adjusting the exposure with the camera at your eye.

Good advice. I've used Leica Ms since 1968, so the older speed dial is natural for me, but adding M7,9,&10 posed no problem, as my habit is to preset the shutter speed for conditions before raising the camera, and then tweak the exposure by aperture. Aperture movement has agreed with the arrows since the M6.

[AdrianL]

4 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

Good advice. I've used Leica Ms since 1968, so the older speed dial is natural for me, but adding M7,9,&10 posed no problem, as my habit is to preset the shutter speed for conditions before raising the camera, and then tweak the exposure by aperture. Aperture movement has agreed with the arrows since the M6.

Good point about what we are all used to. My photographic journey began in the 80s, so aperture priority was a technique that I just got used to.